Digitally manipulated, polarised light microscopy photograph of a cross-section of the stem of Ruscus aculeatus (butcher’s broom), the stem has multiple, widely distributed vascular bundles.

This species is a stem-photosynthetic plant - this is usually associated with plants from arid, high light environments; however, butcher’s broom is highly shade tolerant and drought resistant and is mostly dioecious, having separate male and female plants.

Commended - Abstract Views